Many years ago (April 1992 release), Microsoft had a product called Windows for Workgroups. That name made it clear that Windows was different in your office than it was at home. Back then, of course, Microsoft had two versions of Windows. The DOS-based home system, Windows 3.1, which was in use up through Windows XP and the DOS-free Windows NT version. Windows 2000 (February 2000) was the last edition of the OS that was solely aimed at business, even then home users were seeing some advantages to using the more stable “business” version of Windows.
Now things have moved on and there’s one core operating system across not just home and work PCs, but that same core runs Microsoft’s mobile platform and the Xbox One. Windows 10 is more readily adopted by users of all types and we’re just starting to see the benefits of all these platforms running on the same operating system kernel. We’re also starting to see problems.
Business users upgrading to Windows 10 isn’t without its concerns. There’s the ongoing issue of Microsoft’s telemetry which automatically sends information about you and your PC to Microsoft. If this privacy issue does worry you, you can turn it off, but it’s not entirely business friendly. Then there’s the issue of advertisements popping up in Windows 10 and the fact that Microsoft thinks it’s cool to stuff new installs with Candy Crush. These are not business compatible applications and I recall that back in the day, business owners were up in arms over all Windows PC’s coming pre-installed with Solitaire, MineSweeper and Tetris and FreeCell to name just a few.
The recent leak suggests that Microsoft will bring in something called “Windows 10 Pro for Workstations” although it might actually be called “Windows Pro for Advanced PCs” which will help Microsoft move away from the stigma of Windows 10.
The new OS will have a couple of different features:
•Workstation mode enhanced performance – using the multi-core server CPUs to deliver better performance when working on demanding tasks.
•Resilient file system storage – ReFS is Microsoft’s improved file system that was introduced with Windows Server 2012. Support for this was introduced in Windows 8.1 and you can use it now, in Windows 10 if you like. There’s a setup process which involves building a mirror set and formatting them with the new file system. This may be useful for anyone who has to work with a lot of data.
•Faster file sharing – uses SMBDirect to move files quickly and with minimal overhead. Obviously useful in businesses where data is moving about quickly, and a sticky problem with the current version of Windows.
•Expanded hardware support – have 4 CPUs and 6TB of memory in one system. Windows 10 Pro currently only handles 2 CPU’s
Will it help? Probably. Windows 10 is great and offers a lot to home users. On the other hand, I can see why businesses might not be so keen. Some of that is perhaps based on things that aren’t really a big problem, and some will be legitimate concerns (like employees wasting work time on Candy Crush) that Windows for Workstations might address.
Microsoft still needs to win over businesses to Windows 10 or it’s sitting on a ticking support time bomb, and we’ve recently seen how well older versions of Windows work out in business environments – more ransomware attacks anyone. With Windows 7 a short 2 years away from its final curtain call – Microsoft is working hard to get all of its ducks in a row beforehand.
Thanks to the Verge for information on this leak:
https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/5/15739192/microsoft-windows-10-pro-for-workstations-advanced-pcs-features
